Executive Branch
Just Security’s expert authors provide analysis of the U.S. executive branch related to national security, rights, and the rule of law. Analysis and informational resources focus on the executive branch’s powers and their limits, and the actions of the president, administrative agencies, and federal officials.
4,757 Articles
A Wayward Way of Strategy: What Is the United States Doing in North Africa?
An October report from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies noted a rise in violent activity in the Sahel, up from similar data from January and April. Still, recent U.S.…
Initial Reactions to OLC’s Opinion on the Whitaker Designation as “Acting” Attorney General
Two former Office of Legal Counsel officials analyze OLC's opinion on Matthew Whitaker's legal status as Acting Attorney General.
The Pentagon Put Someone in Charge of Its Civilian Casualty Policy. Now What?
For all the time and attention that the Defense Department has rightly spent addressing civilian casualties, no single official at the Pentagon has ever been formally charged with…
Why We March—A Bipartisan Coalition Has Got Mueller’s Back
Two days after a national election, the last thing the media expected to see was over 100,000 grassroots activists rallied in the streets. Chris Hayes encapsulated the press…
Congress Must Do More to Safeguard Mueller than Simply Protecting His Job
Matt Whitaker (or his successor) can do damage to Russia probe in more ways than just firing Mueller, and that's why new legislation is needed to protect the investigation.
Whitaker’s Unofficial Role as Adviser to Trump Campaign is a Clear Red Line
Whitaker served as a "sounding board" for the national co-chairman of the Trump campaign, and continued to have regular private communications with this important grand jury witness.
The Constitutional Challenge to Mueller’s Appointment (Part VI): Oral Argument and Supplemental Briefing Order [UPDATED]
On Thursday, I attended the oral argument in Miller v. United States, No. 18-3052, a case challenging the constitutionality of Robert Mueller’s appointment to serve as “Special…
From Brunson to Khashoggi, Global Magnitsky Sanctions Score a Mixed Record of Firsts
In the last 30 days, we’ve witnessed a number of important firsts concerning Global Magnitsky sanctions, the targeted pro-human rights and anti-corruption penalties increasingly…
Top Legal Ethics Expert (Stephen Gillers) Writes: Whitaker Should Be Recused
Top ethics expert clears up some fuzzy thinking about how legal ethics and issues of recusal apply to Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker and the Russia investigation.
A Thousand Cuts: How the Acting Attorney General Could Kill Russia Investigations Without Firing Mueller—and Only “Norms” Could Stop Him
Matt Whitaker could try to kill off Russia investigations long before American public becomes aware of what he's done. Here's how and here's what's (not) stopping him.
A Quick Primer on the Legality of Appointing Matthew Whitaker as “Acting” Attorney General, and Whitaker’s Power to Influence the Russia Investigation
Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned from his office yesterday afternoon, at President Trump’s “request.” The President promptly tweeted: “We are pleased to announce…
Update: The Military, the Mexican Border and Posse Comitatus
Unlike the earlier deployment of National Guard personnel, the use of federal forces raises new issues concerning what they are permitted to do.